Sparring Video: Matt K vs Lee Ah Yen Oct 12th

This is the sparring Video from the October 12th spar between Me and Lee Ah Yen ('Everyones a loser when it comes to love' and the upcoming SF project) Which was a fun bout and good for when we choreograph the SF project in late November.

An example of his reach advantage due to his massive height lol, he can punch in the face before I reach his. Below are other screenshots during the match, anyway looking forward to shooting our first fight scene together in November :) Til then, news assignment, All blacks final, Bring Wife to Auckland and News Show production to go ;)

JCP - 2nd JKD test film :)

JCP (Jie's cigarette pack) is our 2nd test film, the weather was great which meant we could film in more space, plus I'm in this one too, anyway give it a watch and let me know what you think ;) Inspired to start shooting 'Chase' soon, getting better at shooting the action the way i want - considering none of these last 2 test films were choreographed or storyboard, turning into something natural :) See you with the sparring video Monday night :)

'Max' - JKD test film #1 and Almighty Johnsons Shoot

Hi. Have you watched the film? 'Max' was created and shot in 3 hours during a Sunday practice to show off some JKD techniques and also so I could get some practice shooting martial arts scenes as I get closer to filming 'Chase'. Check it out, they don't do nunchuk fights much these days in films but I love nunchuks and my club mate and sifu are awesome at them so why not give it a try myself? :)

Also finally got my copy of Blitz DVD and poster today, celebrated with a Matt special -obligatory pizza and coke :)

And on monday I was an extra again which was awesome, the more I do the more chance I have of climbing the ladder. This time for Almighty Johnsons, as they shot their first episode for the new second Season. It was the first time that I had been on something professional that was shot on location. (all others have been in sets in warehouses) They had booked out a Pool bar on K road for the day and we shot some scenes in there. When I first arrived I wasn't sure where to go then I found all the buses and trailers were parked down the street. So I got there, introduced myself, met up with the other extra's and then got costumed up, which was good, as I've pretty much worn all the good 'bar clothes' i have in all the Shortland St shoots. In this role I was just one of the pool players playing in the background. Which meant remembering when and how I took my shot in time with the other guy I would be playing with, Once we figured out a pattern it was easy. Also not actually hitting the other balls so as not to disrupt the sound from the main action :) i thought today would be the day I would be able to drink some real beer since it was real bar, but na, still non alcoholic beer lol

After We shot through some takes we had lunch. Lunch! I hadn't been offered lunch on a film set before so this was new, the other extras were mostly from the same agency as me so we all got along fine, so many jokes (restaurant jokes, date jokes etc lol) as we ended up eating our lunch in the service driveway under the building, the catering crew had laid down 10-15 tables and the 50-60 of us had the healthy meal down there. It was a help yourself to roast chicken, yams, pumpkin, salads, breads, pudding, and it was really nice. Afterwards we chilled upstairs as they shot some close ups of the actors and then we finished our scenes and wrapped. Overall, a fun day and I'm hanging out for power rangers or something new next :)

More news in a couple days when I upload the club's Second test film and some Info on Chase :)

SAE advertisement- my product choice? NZ Oranges lol

Assignment 13 of my film course was to create a 30 second commercial for a product of my choice, originally I was going to do one for martial arts shoes but then decided I should use this opportunity to avoid being pigeonholed as an action guy (which I am cos that's what excites me) and so, lo and behold, this is my art answer to the question. I took some photos throughout the shoot as a record of all the last minute action. I wrote, shot and edited this in the 2 days before the assignment was due and was happy with how it turned out considering I had no idea what to do....

A)This commercial, as part of the requirements,was marked on lighting, my studio is small and those lights, even dimmed, still lit up the room too well. Not too mention lifting that 15-20 Kg bag all the way down a hill from school and back again- with a camera case, isn't fun...In fact, I should have taken pictures lol, damn.

B) I cut up the remainder of an orange into the shape of New Zealand for a shot at the end. I Almost got NZ right, just not enough green JK

C) A finished shot (taken with digital camera, testing if my idea would work or not)

D)From behind the camera as i took the shot mentioned earlier

E) My star orange, Stunt doubles and Orange juice for the other versions of the ad which i added on the handed in DVD.

F) Me, holding the orange juice, in front of the lighting and camera set up shooting the last of it, only way I could get everything in the shot.

G) The finished Ad. You like? Let me know, and No, I'm not really a fan of Oranges. I just picked a fruit as it would be easy I thought. Apples are too common and Bananas would be too humorous for me so Orange it was :) Anyway, See you next post :)

Also here are the other 2 versions that didn't quite make it to 30 seconds, but I finished anyway to reward my efforts...

Arrrrrr Eyeliner.

So, Today I did my part as an extra on the set of Go Girls Season 4, Playing 'Pirate Pete'. Very strange/wonderful/enjoyable experience. The cast and crew were all very polite, warm and caring and it was nice to be in their company for the afternoon. I was amazed at how they introduced themselves to me, the 'stars' were all very human and kind, it was inspiring. Wardrobe had organized an awesome costume last week for me and today I wore it on screen. We did so many takes as The Go girls crew took shots with more camera angles and affecting lights, props, etc. Was pretty fun watching it all happen. Also another day where I had to hold a fake bottle of beer for an hour or so that I'm dying to drink just cos It's in my hand and smells real. And by coincidence or design, I met another extra who I might end up casting in Chase as it turns out she has a black belt in Taekwondo and is interested in starring in my film :)

The Day finished later than I expected so I went straight to JKD practice after the shoot wrapped for the day. Anyway, as promised, I asked one of the costume ladies if she could take my picture before I finished for the day and fortunately she said yes, so here is me in full gear! (thanks Miss!)



Needless to say, When I turned up to JKD practice an hour late with black nail polish and remnants of black eyeliner I was questioned with smiles and jokes. Just practiced knuckle jab and one inch punch today so worth going, plus I also got the sparring video from Sifu where I fought Matt UK but I won't post that on you tube. It was good but neither of us did anything that would interest a non martial artist so next time I will try put on more of a show so I can post the video.

Anyway, School again tomorrow, Have got to finish this commercial! Due on Saturday, and I still don't know what I'm doing yet. I'm thinking of Apples. lol. See you in a week or so ;)

Batman: "Freeze! " MF: "that's 'Mister' Freeze!"

Hey guys/girls :)

Been watching batman cartoons lately, The Bruce Timm ones, not all these new age ones -the true dark original ones, really awesome, miss this sort of cartoon, ahead of it's time really. Growing up it influenced me alot so now that I'm older and can appreciate it more I tracked down a copy of the DVD and am reliving the claps, laughs and good times :) Batman's voice (bruce timm) and The Joker and his voice haven't been equaled since, in either cartoons or the movies. Just throwing that out there. I been a big batman film since I could talk lol. And still am, Bring on The Dark Knight rises next year :) Also Expendables 2 is gathering momentum, Jason Statham vs Scott adkins? (Fantastic, big fans of both)and Donnie yen vs Jetl i? (again, always cool -OATIC2 and Hero) Just hope they shoot the fights so you can see all the techniques and drama clearly, looks great, and since Chuck norris is in there, I wonder if there will be any chuck norris jokes? lol Love action movies soo much :)

In other news that probably relates more to this blog, This is the latest Sparring video from August when we tried out wrestling in the ring for the first time. Considering there is no 'give' in the floor, I think me and Richard were just running on adrenaline, needless to say, lots of bumps and bruises the next day :) Sort of damaged my confidence a bit, but I fought Matt last week and by second round back to my mobile ghosting self, will post that video when i get Wednesday night if Sifu remembers ;) Also shot a short film for the club, testing out some techniques, I just have to add sound effects for punches/kicks/nunchuks etc and i will upload that too :)

Above is the finished music Video that Nazim and I shot for a school assessment. For the 2 hour shoot time and edited during the week before the due date, I think we did pretty well. Anyway, i will blog more next time, about the long lasting Street fighter project (school work and our schedules making getting together and shooting this more difficult than we anticipated), Go girls, and your first look at Chase (the script I will finish tonight, then i get to play dress up to test out different looks for the main character ;) haha)

Anyway, Life is going good and all sorts of opportunities and challenges await :) Keep following, I'm sharing my Blue print :) Yeah, good or bad, smile and enjoy it, live for the moment. There's a reason for everything if you widen your perspectives....a couple favorite quotes....

"A smile confuses an approaching frown." and "So many languages in the world, and a smile speaks them all" and lastly ;

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give." ~Author Unknown